First Look: All-New 2018 Renault Megane R.S.

The much anticipated 2018 Renault Mégane R.S. has been officially unveiled today at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The new third generation Megane R.S. continues the nameplate’s hallmarks of agility and driving engagement with a more finely-tuned chassis performance permitted by Renault’s 4CONTROL technology complete with four-wheel steering, a first in the segment, an all-new 280hp/390Nm engine, and, for the first time, a choice of two transmission options.

“I was involved in New Renault Mégane R.S.’s development and I am proud to be its ambassador. Thanks to the new technologies it packs, including 4CONTROL technology, New Mégane R.S. is even more efficient and nimble than its predecessor. It’s a delight to drive” said Nico Hülkenberg, Renault Sport Racing Formula 1 driver and Renault Sport Cars ambassador.

“Performance is the chief reason our customers cite for purchasing the Mégane R.S. and the All-New Mégane R.S. takes the styling and technologies even further to deliver truly exceptional driving enjoyment. Our intention is to see the All-New Mégane R.S., with its chassis and 4CONTROL, remain the C-segment hot hatch benchmark” said Patrice Ratti, General Manager of Renault Sport Cars.

The new Renault Mégane R.S.’s expressive, sporty lines point to the model’s performance pedigree and pay tribute to Renault’s longstanding involvement in topflight motorsport.

Visual treats setting out the performance flagship apart from the regular Megane range include including bespoke lines, redesigned bumpers, side vents and wider fenders which have been extended by 60mm and 45mm at the front and rear respectively.

Design

The new front bumper incorporates:

A Formula 1-style blade which, in addition to being a Renault Sport styling hallmark and symbolic of Renault’s commitment to Formula 1, is picked out in a distinctive Gun Metal Grey satin finish that contrasts sharply with the bodywork’s high-gloss sheen.

A wide air intake to provide air for the intercoolers and engine cooling.

A working diffuser inspired by the world of Formula 1 to negate lift at higher speeds.

A specific new body colour

A new body colour has joined the Mégane R.S. family – Volcanic Orange. Like Renault Sport’s iconic Liquid Yellow, the new finish benefits from special work to combine a unique sheen with a special effect as light reflects off the body.

Interior

The new Megane R.S.’ interior features:

Sports front seats with integrated head rests.

A predominantly charcoal grey cockpit with red top-stitching,

A choice of two upholsteries (‘carbon fibre weave’ or Alcantara)

Bespoke aluminium pedal and gear lever.

Renault Sport’s visual branding

Renault Sport took advantage of the presentation of Renault’s latest Formula 1 car – the R.S.17 – in London, in February, to reveal its new logo which is shared by Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars. Now, for the very first time, this badging – emblematic of Renault’s sporting heritage – appears on the tailgate of the new Mégane R.S.

4CONTROL chassis: an exclusive in New Renault Mégane’s class

Renault Sport’s engineering expertise has taken the performance of new Mégane R.S. to a new level thanks to two new features that are unique in the car’s segment.

Courtesy of Renault’s 4CONTROL system with four-wheel steering (a standard feature of both the model’s Cup and Sport chassis versions), new Renault Mégane R.S. promises even more agile handling through tight turns and more stable cornering at higher speeds. The steering is said to be more incisive while the turning circle is even tighter when manoeuvring. Carefully configured by Renault Sport, 4CONTROL promises a whole new level of driving enjoyment in the segment.

Front and rear hydraulic compression stops, a technology derived from the world of motorsport, provide additional damping and eliminate the effects of rebound by performing the following functions:

They ensure a high level of chassis efficiency on the Cup chassis version irrespective of the type of road.

Combined with the Sport chassis, they deliver unprecedented comfort in the segment.

New Renault Mégane R.S. carries over the key features that helped to forge the success of previous-generation versions.

The PerfoHub independent steering axis front suspension has been completely redesigned to cater for the new Renault Mégane R.S.’s new geometry and is stiffer than before.

The new Torsen limited slip differential that comes with the Cup chassis features different lock-up values under acceleration and deceleration for enhanced traction and higher cornering speeds.

The suspension settings of both versions are specific (springs, dampers, bump stops and anti-roll bar stiffness).

All-new engine

The new 2018 Renault Mégane R.S. is equipped with an all-new turbocharged engine equipped with direct fuel injection.

The new 1.8-litre (1,798cc) four-cylinder is 200c smaller than the engine it replaces but generates 280hp (205kW) at 6,000rpm (a hike of 10kW) and 390Nm of torque (an increase of 30Nm), positioning it firmly amongst the class’s front-runners in terms of peak torque.

Maximum torque is available from 2,400rpm up to 5,000rpm.

To enable this engine to produce this level of power and torque, Renault Sport focused its development work primarily on the cylinder head, air intake and exhaust.

The cylinder head has been completely redesigned with combined input from the experts at Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing Formula 1 engineers.

The revised, higher-capacity dual-intake air filter features improved permeability.

For the first time, New Renault Mégane R.S. offers a choice of transmission for its new 280hp TCe engine.

Six-speed manual gearbox.

Six-speed EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) automatic transmission.

The ratios and gearshift calibration were developed by Renault Sport to combine performance with efficient fuel consumption, while the EDC transmission’s gear shift times have been optimised for greater performance and driving enjoyment.

The EDC transmission stands out through a number of specific features:

Paddle-shifters – of a type similar to those used in motor racing – allow the driver to change gear without having to take their hands off the steering wheel when cornering.

Multi-Change Down technology ensures fast sequential down-changing and allows drivers to downshift several gears in quick succession under braking. This ensures the vehicle is in the most appropriate gear to tackle the following corner.

Launch Control for optimised getaways, directly inspired by motorsport technology. This is available in either Race mode or Sport mode, where it works in conjunction with the specially-adapted traction control to produce a textbook start even in low-grip situations.

A 300 horsepower (223kW) / 400Nm Trophy version

Before the end of 2018, Renault Sport will introduce a Trophy version of the new Mégane R.S., the engine of which will produce 300hp (223kW) and 400Nm of torque. It will incorporate a number of technologies geared to performance, including the Cup chassis and 19-inch wheels as standard equipment.

The performance of a car is also gauged by its braking ability. Renault Sport has introduced two new features to upgrade the Mégane R.S.’s stopping power:

New 355mm front discs with Brembo callipers.

Optional bi-material cast iron and aluminium brake discs.

Upgraded R.S. Monitor

Thanks to its on-board telemetry system, R.S. Monitor, Renault Sport extends the R.S. experience beyond the act of simply driving. The latest version features new graphics and is even more user-friendly, with a choice of two configurations:

R.S. Monitor displays the driver’s performance in real time on the R-LINK 2 screen.

R.S. Monitor Expert provides drivers with the opportunity to connect a camera (either an independent camera or their smartphone camera) to film their drive. They can then play back and analyse their run thanks to the incorporation of performance data in the image. They can even share the film on social media.

There is a bespoke website for Renault Sport customers.

R.S. Replay allows owners to engage with other members of the Renault Sport community by uploading their recordings, playing them back and comparing runs.

MULTI-SENSE personalised driving mode

Renault’s MULTI-SENSE system and its choice of five driving modes personalise the driving experience by adapting engine response (via the pedal mapping), the firmness of the steering and gear shift speeds.

Comfort mode: helps to minimise fuel consumption during everyday use.

Normal mode: the ideal compromise between comfort, acoustics and performance.

Sport mode: sportier performance, enhanced engine response, a more satisfying engine sound and firmer steering, while the ESC threshold has been raised.

Race Mode: designed for track use and unfettered performance thanks to sportier 4CONTROL settings for enhanced agility, with the ESC turned off.

Perso mode: New Renault Mégane R.S.’s technologies can be activated or switched off at will to enjoy a truly personalised drive.

The R.S. Drive button provides shortcut access to the Sport and Race modes thanks to a short or long press respectively.

Driver aids designed for everyday use

A suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) allows the new Megane R.S. to be driven in all types of situation.

Its palette of driving aids – all accessed and activated or deactivated via the R-LINK 2 tablet – provide the following functions: